Sulu Sea atoll
90 minutes by speedboat from Sandakan, Lankayan Island Dive Resort is the only property on a tiny coral ring wrapped in a strictly protected marine conservation area.
Welcome
Lankayan Island Dive Resort is the only property on a tiny Sulu Sea coral island, 90 minutes by speedboat from Sandakan. You can explore uncrowded macro dive sites minutes from the jetty, within a strictly protected marine reserve where commercial fishing is banned.
The isolation is total. There is no other resort in sight and you can easily find a stretch of sand entirely to yourself. Couples come for the peace and the sunsets while divers come for the macro photography.
Every stay's conservation fee supports Reef Guardian's marine patrols. Generators provide 24-hour power, and high-speed internet reaches public areas and rooms.
Property layout
Lankayan is the only property on a tiny 0.05-square-kilometre coral island in the Sulu Sea.
The resort has 29 air-conditioned rooms in 23 wooden chalets on the beach or over the water.
Divers can explore 32 nearby dive sites, including 2 wrecks, with exceptional macro diving.
The active turtle hatchery offers a call service when hatchlings are ready for release.
Full board meals and scheduled boat transfers are included in every stay.
Accommodation
Across 23 wooden chalets, 29 air-conditioned rooms have en-suite bathrooms with hot and cold fresh water piped from the mainland.
1 queen and 1 twin bed · beach access
There are 14 Beach Chalets tucked into the tree line just off the sand. The private patio opens directly onto the beach with ocean views.
1 king and 1 twin bed · overwater
The 9 Water Chalets offer sea views and direct house reef access. Their unfenced overwater balconies require care with young children.
wheelchair-accessible paths and restaurant
Accessible paths and a restaurant support wheelchair users. Boarding still involves tidal gangways at Sandakan; the media room is reached only by stairs.
open-air timber building
A large open-air timber building sits over the shallows and houses the restaurant, the administrative desks and a wide viewing deck.
media room · boutique · fitness centre
There is a media room designed for reviewing underwater photographs, a boutique, a fitness centre and a sunset bar for evening drinks.
Dining
The dining is a set buffet served at fixed times in the main restaurant. The kitchen prepares the day's meals for you. Every package includes full board meals plus afternoon snacks and refreshments like tea, coffee and cold water. Dietary preferences can be accommodated if you ask in advance.
Marine life
Marine protection helps the reef flourish. Juvenile blacktip reef sharks fill the shallows, while dive sites support schools of pelagic fish and exceptional macro life.
Property layout
Rates on enquiry: no prices are published.
Stays start at 2 nights. Chalet types are allocated on arrival; the team requests your preference when booking.
EnquireDiver packages include 3 daily boat dives on full days, plus unlimited unguided house reef diving.
EnquireHouse reef diving requires a certified buddy; non-divers can snorkel or kayak.
EnquireCommon questions
There is no quota system for Lankayan Island like there is for Sipadan. A daily marine conservation fee goes straight to the Reef Guardian team, and the team arranges it with your stay.
The island is extremely remote but the resort provides high-speed complimentary internet across the public areas and the guestrooms.
Yes. Every package includes full board meals served buffet-style in the main restaurant plus afternoon snacks and refreshments like tea, coffee and cold water.
The boat arrives before lunch, leaving the afternoon for a checkout dive on the house reef. The 3 daily boat dives apply to full days, excluding arrival and departure days.
Getting there
Fly to Sandakan from Kota Kinabalu or Kuala Lumpur. Transfers connect Sandakan Airport or city hotels with the PSR Jetty. Boat crossings take 90 to 120 minutes, depending on conditions. The only daily boat leaves at 10am; same-day flights must land before 9am. Missing it means chartering a private boat, which the team can arrange. The return leaves at 7am. Allow 24 hours between your last dive and flying.
Alternatives
Stay in Sepilok before the boat transfer, or explore nearby Turtle Islands Park. For alternative diving, consider Sipadan's oceanic wall or Mabul's macro sites in southern Sabah.
Our view
For uncrowded macro diving and a quiet island stay, send the team your dates, group size and whether you dive or snorkel.
